PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VIRGINIA . . . Millions of people will hit the roads this Thanksgiving, traveling to the homes of their family or friends for that long-awaited turkey dinner. To keep drivers and their passengers safe, the Prince William County Police Department is partnering with the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to share an important lifesaving reminder: Buckle Up—Every Trip. Every Time.

During the 2016 Thanksgiving weekend – the last for which full statistics are available – 341 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes nationwide. Tragically, 49 percent of those killed were not wearing seatbelts, representing a decrease in seat belt usage compared to the same weekend in 2015, when 52 percent of those killed in traffic crashes were unrestrained. Nighttime proved even more deadly, with 55 percent of Thanksgiving weekend crashes occurring at night. Much like drunk driving, these deaths represent needless tragedies for families across America, in part because the simple click of a seat belt could have been prevented them.

Whether you are a passenger or the driver, whether you are riding long distances or short, please buckle your seat belt. Doing so ensures everyone arrives safely to Thanksgiving destinations. Remember: Buckle Up—Every Trip. Every Time.